Generator coupling for use with gas turbine engine
A generator coupling assembly includes an output housing, an output member rotationally supported by the output housing, a generator powered by the output member, and a clutch adapter. The generator includes a generator stator, a generator rotor rotatably supported within the generator stator, a shaft coupled to the generator rotor, and a clutch member arranged on the shaft. The clutch adapter is coupled to and radially retained by the output member, and includes a clutching structure configured for selective engagement with the clutch member to engage the clutch member and the clutch adapter for co-rotation.
1. A generator coupling assembly comprising:
an output housing;
an output member rotatably supported by the output housing;
a generator powered by the output member, the generator comprising:
a generator stator;
a generator rotor rotatably supported within the generator stator;
a shaft coupled to the generator rotor for co-rotation therewith; and
a clutch member arranged on the shaft; and
a clutch adapter coupled to the output member with a splined connection for co-rotation therewith, wherein the clutch adapter includes a clutching structure configured for selective engagement with the clutch member to engage the clutch member and the clutch adapter for co-rotation, and wherein the clutch adapter is radially retained by the output member.
2. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the shaft is configured to axially translate to selectively engage the clutch member and the clutch adapter.
3. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the clutch member comprises a first toothed clutch face located at a first end of the shaft, and wherein the clutching structure of the clutch adapter comprises a second toothed clutch face.
4. The assembly of claim 3 , wherein the first toothed clutch face is integrally formed with the shaft.
5. The assembly of claim 1 , the shaft further comprising:
a shear section configured to facilitate shaft failure under excessive torque conditions to disengage the generator.
6. The assembly of claim 5 and further comprising:
a support member extending from the clutch adapter into a hollow region of the shaft at or near the shear section to radially retain a portion of the shaft upon shaft failure.
7. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the output housing comprises a gearbox housing, and wherein the output member comprises a gearbox power shaft.
8. The assembly of claim 1 and further comprising:
a seal member configured to create a fluid seal between the output housing and the output member.
9. The assembly of claim 1 and further comprising:
a seal member configured to create a fluid seal between the output housing and the output member, wherein the seal member maintains a fluid seal between the output housing and the output member when the generator and the clutch adapter are uninstalled from the output member.
10. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the generator further comprises a generator housing, the assembly further comprising:
a seal member configured to create a fluid seal between the output housing and the generator housing.
11. A generator system comprising:
a prime mover for providing a rotational force;
a gearbox comprising:
a gearbox housing; and
an output member rotationally supported by the gearbox housing for transmitting rotational force from the prime mover;
a generator powered by the output member, the generator comprising:
a generator housing;
a generator stator;
a generator rotor rotatably supported within the generator stator;
a shaft coupled to the generator rotor for co-rotation therewith; and
a clutch member arranged on the shaft; and
a clutch adapter coupled to the output member of the gearbox with a splined connection for co-rotation therewith, wherein the clutch adapter includes a clutching structure configured for selective engagement with the clutch member to engage the clutch member and the clutch adapter for co-rotation, and wherein the clutch adapter is radially retained by the output member.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the prime mover comprises a gas turbine engine.
13. The system of claim 11 , wherein the shaft is configured to axially translate to selectively engage the clutch member and the clutch adapter.
14. The system of claim 11 , wherein the clutch member comprises a first toothed clutch face located at a first end of the shaft, and wherein the clutching structure of the clutch adapter comprises a second toothed clutch face.
15. The system of claim 11 , the shaft further comprising:
a shear section configured to facilitate shaft failure under excessive torque conditions to disengage the generator; and
a support member extending from the clutch adapter into a hollow region of the shaft at or near the shear section to radially retain a portion of the shaft upon shaft failure.
16. The system of claim 11 and further comprising:
a seal member configured to create a fluid seal between the gearbox housing and the output member.
17. The system of claim 11 and further comprising:
a seal member configured to create a fluid seal between the output housing and the output member, wherein the seal member maintains a fluid seal between the output housing and the output member when the generator and the clutch adapter are uninstalled from the output member.
18. The system of claim 11 , wherein the generator further comprises a generator housing, the assembly further comprising:
a seal member configured to create a fluid seal between the output housing and the generator housing.